Widening and sustaining postgraduate taught (PGT) STEM study in the UK: a collaborative project.

Abstract

There has been a dramatic expansion in postgraduate taught study (PGT) in the UK in recent years, but this is now faltering, especially amongst UK domiciled students and those undertaking part-time study. As a result, sustaining the participation required to meet national skill needs as well as the PGT market in the UK has become a pressing challenge. Although there is a growing body of evidence looking at the postgraduate student experience, there is still a paucity of research exploring participation barriers, understanding students' and employers' expectations of PGT study, progression and retention, and post-study outcomes. With the recent changes in the UK higher education landscape, the aim of this multi-institutional and stakeholder project was to provide valuable contributions in understanding, shaping and helping to sustain the PGT sector, at both institutional and national level. This project has addressed many of the neglected research areas mentioned above. This report details the key findings and suggests approaches to how PGT study can be stimulated, sustained, be inclusive and equitable in terms of participants, and meet the skill requirements of business and industry, and considers how institutional and national strategies can be developed in growing and sustaining the PGT market in the UK.